Month: March 2020

Broadjam Artist: Marc S. Pate
Song: Just Another Day

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very enjoyable track, with a nice groove and excellent musicianship. The mix was very strong although I found the vocal a bit loud by comparison, but that’s very minor. I might almost put this in some kind of Jazz category more so than Country Rock, but maybe the rest of your music is Country-fied.

Constructive Comments: Song would definitely benefit from interesting background vocals or harmonies.

Broadjam Artist: Earl.C.Webb
Song: THIS WON’T CHANGE ANYTHING

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very memorable voice. With the Spanish sound, I absolutely wouldn’t call this Modern Blues but more in the “Unique” category. It almost has a Chris Isaac feel in parts, and the instrumentation was very strong throughout.

Constructive Comments: Even though it technically wasn’t my style, I enjoyed the song for what it was and think there is likely a market for it.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Cat Hackles Are Up/ Blues Rock

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The guitar tone is nice, and the chords are generally interesting. Sounds a lot more like a “skeleton” of a song than an actual song.

Constructive Comments: As a professional drummer for over 20 years, I can’t get past the fact that the drums and guitars are not in time together. Sometimes they catch up, but it’s hit-and-miss at best. I’d strongly urge working with a metronome, but this just wasn’t my taste.

Broadjam Artist: StarburstRecords
Song: 35. Fine Line

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Excellent dynamics in the mix. The instruments are tried-and-true with a very likable melody and a solid vocal performance. Reminds me a lot of Pure Prairie League in their heyday, which is certainly a compliment. Well-arranged, too.

Constructive Comments: Not much to complain about. If anything I might have added more harmony patterns to throw some extra depth. but an enjoyable tune.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Out Of The Equation

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The overall sound of the song is excellent. Nice balance, solid playing and singing. The recording quality and mix are also very strong, and the arrangement moved along well, keeping the song interesting.

Constructive Comments: I kept waiting for a big chorus or big harmonies, and while that’s just a small critique, the song would benefit greatly from more emphasis on tight harmony or a more sweeping chorus.

Broadjam Artist: Cassandra Bernard
Song: Hands Helping Hands

Reviewer: Kevin Leon Smith

Positive Comments: Good message with helping hands!

Constructive Comments: You can nice up the vocals with some more dynamics.Musical arrangement is too straight…Mix it up! No drum and bass or riddim sections? It’s dancehall, right?

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: READY AS I’LL EVER BE

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The song has a good feel and absolutely fits the Classic Rock genre. Overall the mix was good and the nice vocal far enough out front to fit perfectly. Background singers added a nice touch as well.

Constructive Comments: The only thing I didn’t “get” on this was the volume and tone of the cymbal crashes. They sound like they were added after the recording, and at a level too high for my taste (I was a pro drummer for 20+ years, so I’m picky). Still overall a good song, that’s just my preference for a smoother drum sound in the pocket.

Broadjam Artist: RICARDO ALONSO
Song: Katchoumba

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Excellent rhythms, and some nice changes in dynamics through the course of the song. Synthesizer isn’t necessarily my fave (more of a guitar guy) but it was a job well done and an easy listen. I enjoyed the song.

Constructive Comments: Having said I’m not all-in on synths, I admire the wide range of sounds they can achieve and I kind of felt this one was set to “horns” most of the time – that may be the effect you were going for, though for my PERSONAL taste only I’d have liked more variety of sounds. That’s very minor though.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Your Heart Won’t Let You Down

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very commercial and melodic. Well-crafted pattern, excellent instrumental work and the mix is quite strong. One of my favorite parts was the harmonies in the last 15 seconds, and I kept wondering where have THOSE been all song? Overall really, really good.

Constructive Comments: My one critique is through most of the song on the chorus, the harmonies are well back in the mix and not as tight as at the end. But that’s a very small critique as I enjoyed the song a lot.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: I’d Throw It All Away For You / Hard Rock

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Nice sound overall on the guitar. The progression was interesting and kept my foot tapping. Reminds me of rhythmic Eric Johnson in tone.

Constructive Comments: I missed hearing true low end like a bass, and while the drums were steady (programmed?) the mix had the guitar really far forward and I wanted more snare to snap the beat and tighten the sound.